Chitwan which means “jungle heart” in English is located in the southwest of Bagmati Province, between the Mahabharat and Siwalik ranges and the foothills of the Himalayas. Chitwan is the fifth-largest city in Nepal and is popular for having diverse range of wildlife.
The district of Chitwan is particularly popular for its colorful celebrations, including the Bisket Jatra festival and the Tharu festival of Maghi. The main attraction to see in Chitwan is Chitwan National Park beside the region’s treasure. Also, the place is famous for its vibrant culture, history, and natural surroundings.
For a typical Nepal itinerary, Chitwan is always included in this route. So if you plan to visit the district of Chitwan, Nepal, then read this blog to check out the 10 best places to visit in Chitwan.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Chitwan for a Memorable Vacation
1. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park which was founded in 1973 is a recognized World Heritage site. The park consists of a conservation area for vultures and gharials and an elephant breeding facility. Many temples such as Lami Taal, Bikram Baba, and Tamor Taal, are also nearby attractions located within the park’s boundaries. Other key attractions to see here include elephant rides and local forests.
Many students visit this park for educational purposes and to explore the endangered wild animals and birds.
2. Jalbire Waterfall (Lamo Jharana)
Jalbire Waterfall is one of Nepal’s longest waterfalls which is almost 60 meters long. The waterfall is known as a topmost and lovely tourist destination. This place is visited more during the summer season. The lush and green hills and the mountains enhance the season’s beauty. So, if you plan to take a holiday in Chitwan, and look for the Best Places to Visit in Chitwan, don’t forget to stop at the Jalbire waterfall for a while.
Also, many visitors here explore canoeing opportunities and homestay experiences with the Gurung population.
This beautiful waterfall is heaven for all, so don’t forget to visit this Jalbire waterfall on your trip to Chitwan, Nepal.
3. Chitwan Tharu Village
If you want to know about Tharu customs and culture, then visit Chitwan’ Tharu Village. By visiting the place, one can know the language of the people, their way of life, culture, festival, customs, etc. Throughout the village, you can see many traditional homes and people involved in agriculture. Also here, there is a tiny museum that consists of previous tools used by the Tharu people.
Suggested Itineraries for Nepal:
4. Siraichuli
While visiting Chitwan, there are many opportunities to discover Chitwan’s hidden beauty in the surrounding locations. The place has an abundance of wildlife adventures to do and see vast flora. from here, one can also get a great view of Mt. Annapurna, Chitwan National Park, Dhaulagiri, Narayani & Rapti rivers, to name a few. While touring the area around Chitwan, another place to see is Chisapanitar which is an ideal destination for bird watchers with scopes to observe more than a hundred kinds of bird species.
5. Devghat
Devghat is a well-known religious and cultural hub in Chitwan is Devghat which is quite popular among Buddhists and Hindus. The place is home to many temples, hermitages, and ashrams. Devghat also has a connection to the Hindu god Vishnu and is believed to be the same place where the gods Rama and Laxman visited during their exile to pray and meditate.
Also, it is believed the Pandavas of the Hindu epic Mahabharata visited this place during their exile. Along with being a spiritually important place, Devghat is a well-liked holiday spot for the ones who love the outdoors and the natural world.
6. Bishazari Tal
Bishazari Tal, located in the Chitwan, is a popular tourist hub. This tal is much more than just a lake, rather a collection of ponds and smaller lakes located away in a wooded environment. The Chitwan National Park Buffer Zone, which is located near Bishazari Lake, is also home to a variety of flora and species.
The waters and surrounding woodland at Bishazari Lake are home to more than 250 species of birds, including rare and endangered species. Bird watching is a popular attraction to do. The key activities to do at the lake include hiking, fishing, and boating.
7. Elephant Breeding Center
In the Elephant Breeding Center, one can observe elephant meals being prepared and consumed by them. Also, get a closer insight into the elephants’ nature and behaviors at this unique facility which has been raising domesticated elephants since 1985. The Elephant Breeding Center, located protects the region’s imperiled elephants. Also at the museum located here, one can see different kinds of elephants here.
8. Crocodile Breeding Center
Visiting the crocodile breeding center is one of the most exciting things to do in Chitwan National Park. You can explore the place either by Jeep or by foot. Here one can also see the dreadful Mugger Crocodile along with Crocodile. The size of crocodiles here varies from egg size to giants. A sizable amount of Gharials were released in the rivers Karnali, Rapti, Kaligandanki, Narayani, Koshi, and Babai between 1981 and 2022.
9. Ranipokhari
Located in Chitwan’s Saradanagar, Ranipokhari is the most recent location for tourists and has become one of the best places to visit in Chitwan. It is one of Chitwan’s latest tourist attractions, spread over four Bigahas in Bharatpur-19, Kirangunj. Beautiful statues, consisting of a Buddha statue surrounded by this lovely lake.
If you are a bird watcher, then you must visit this place in other top 10 Best Places to Visit in Chitwan as many water birds are drawn to the freshwater lake Ranipokhari due to the greenery. The place has been transformed into an outdoor sculpture gallery and an ideal destination for picnics, which is bordered by lush woodland.
10. CG Temple Shashwat Dham
Even in a busy city like Chitwan, finding a place to relax and breathe fresh air is not an easy task. The place named – Chaudhary Shaswatdham (CG Temple) is a true blessing. This resemblance of a temple is located in Dhamkaul, Nawalparasi, and is an ideal destination for leisure and worship.
Also, the lakes surrounding the Dham from all sides offer a stunning perspective of the temple, especially during the night.
Take A Safari Walk
The main attraction in Chitwan is taking a safari ride to Chitwan National Safari Park where you can see many animals including leopards, elephants, etc. The travelers can trek in the park and can take short or 2-3 days trekking. There are many walks outside this park, but while taking a walk inside the park, a guide is essential.
Charges
➜ INR 2000 for a foreigner
➜ INR 1000 for SAARC
➜ INR 50 for Nepali
Wash An Elephant
Elephant bathing is quite a popular activity in Chitwan and is enjoyed by many people coming here. Make sure to reach the place anywhere between 9 and 11 am on a Wednesday and wash elephants.
Rent Bikes and Ride to the 20,000 Lake
Bike hire is also an adventurous activity in Chitwan and a fun activity to get involved in. Take a cycle to ride to the 20,000 lakes. Also, there are 1-2 restaurants near the place, where you can stop for lunch as well.
Best time to visit Chitwan
The most preferred time to visit Chitwan is from October to March as the skies are clear, and the temperature is warm and comfortable for outings. Also, the months from January to March, are the best months to see animals on a safari in Chitwan national park.
Conclusion
A wide range of things makes Chitwan one of the most popular destinations in Nepal. With key places like the National Park, Jalbire Waterfall, Ranipokhari, etc. visiting Chitwan will make your trip fun-filled and memorable. Overall, the Chitwan region is a must-see for travelers visiting Nepal due to the unique and different choices of activities to get involved in.
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FAQs About Places to Visit in Chitwan
Which is the most popular dish in Chitwan?
Chitwan has a very popular and tasty dish- Taas which is a spicy fried goat meat dish served with bhuja or cheura available in many restaurants.
What is Chitwan famous for?
Chitwan in Nepal is famous for mustard growing and the production of mustard oil. The popularity of the mustard in Chitwan is mainly due to the predominant soil type silt, which is due to flooding of the Narayani River and its tributaries.
What is special about Chitwan National Park?
Chitwan National Park is Nepal’s first National Park which is spread over 932 sq/km and is listed as a World Heritage site. The main attractions in the park include an elephant breeding center and a vulture and gharial conservation area.
Which month is best to visit Chitwan?
The months from October to early March are the best months to visit Chitwan due to the pleasant temperatures. Among all these months, January is the coldest month with freezing nights.
What is the major city of Chitwan?
Some of the main cities of Chitwan include Hetauda and Ratnanagar located in the easternmost part of the valley, while Narayangarh and Bharatpur are popular cities in their central part.
What are the top attractions to visit in Chitwan District?
The top attractions to visit in Chitwan District include:
- Narayani River
- Chitwan National Park
- Bishazari Tal
- Tiger Residency Resort
- Tharu Cultural Museum and Research Center
